Spokane Valley Murder Over Cigarettes

Early Sunday morning, May 13th, Spokane Valley Sheriff's Deputies responded to a suspicious person call near the 300 block of North Lake Road in Spokane Valley. When deputies arrived on scene, they realized 44-year-old Warren Flinn was a victim of an assault.
After medics arrived, it was confirmed Flinn had been shot two times in the back of his head. Flinn had been in a local hospital until he subsequently died from the injuries on May 16th.

Spokane County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene on May 13th and developed information through their investigation that led to the arrest of 38-year-old Shane Smith on Tuesday, May 22nd, for the murder of Flinn. Detectives obtained
a search warrant for Smith's residence that was served Tuesday afternoon, May 22nd. Smith was arrested for 2nd Degree Murder at his residence and admitted to detectives he shot Flinn in the back of the head two times.

Smith told detectives he and Flinn had been out "scrapping" for metal near the railroad tracks on Lake Road. Smith said he and Flinn had an argument over cigarettes which led to him shooting Flinn in the back of the head. Detectives located two firearms inside
Smith's residence along with some of Flinn's personal belongings.

• Shane Smith was booked into the Spokane County Jail for one count of 2nd Degree Murder.